William Paul Portman

William Paul Portman, “Bill”, 96, of Sea Island, Georgia and Highlands, North Carolina, passed away December 16, 2020. He is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy Ohl Portman; daughter, Linda Portman Spencer; former son-in-law David Lamar Johnson; and his second wife, Erma Kiss Portman.

He leaves behind his three children, Joanne Portman McDonald (Philip) of Gainesville, Georgia, Susan Mary Portman of St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, and William Paul Portman, Jr. of St. Simon’s Island, Georgia; as well as grandchildren, Jason Paul McGregor, Philip Cade McDonald, Anna McDonald Norman, Paul Dulin Spencer, and Dorothy Spencer Cobb; eight great-grandchildren; and too many nieces and nephews to name.

William was born on May 9, 1924 in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, the seventh of eleven children to Joseph and Anna Portman. A devout Catholic his whole life, he grew up on his family’s dairy farm and developed a strong work ethic from a very young age. He was enrolled at Pennsylvania State University but family obligations and the war called him to carry out his duty on the farm. This desire for education and the importance of learning stayed with him his whole life.

In 1950, he and his wife Dorothy moved to Brunswick, Georgia. He got a job at the Greyhound bus station as a manager of the dining room. After ten years at the bus station, which was open 24 hours a day, and which was in continuous operation without a single day of closure for an entire decade, he used this experience to propel him into a successful career as a businessman. He was the first Shoney’s franchisee in Georgia and opened many more throughout the South. He also owned and managed several Ramada Inns; he continued to invest in real estate his entire life.

In his later years, he became an amazing philanthropist in his communities and beyond. He was an avid golfer and played well into his 80s. He was a member of Sea Island, Highlands Country Club and Ocean Forest.

He was known to be meticulous in everything he did and had an unwavering work ethic not just in business but in life. He was always known to never sit down or allow anyone to do work he could do on his own. He was disciplined in every facet of life from his daily routine, to watching the stock market, to his faith, and to his work. He was charming and always introduced himself to strangers in a room; everyone who met him knew he was loved no matter who you were or your background; kind, stubborn, humble, generous and lucky, he also knew how to laugh, even when the joke was on him, and he died as elegantly as he lived. He was an example to us all. We loved him beyond expression; he was a man of true faith, a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

To honor his life, there will be a private burial at Christ Church, on Saturday, December 19, 2020. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date at St. William Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to: St. William Catholic Church, St. Simon’s Island or Hospice of the Golden Isles.

Edo Miller and Sons is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the register book and leave condolences for the family at www.edomillerandsons.com